Ecosystems of the planet Flashcards
Define ecosystem
Natural areas in which plants, animals and other organisms are linked to each other
Define biome
A large scale ecosystem
Define biotic
The living parts of an ecosystem
Define abiotic
The physical, non living parts of an ecosystem
What’s the diagram for the independence of ecosystems
Animals
Plants Soil
Climate
What are the four layers of a tropical rainforest
Emergent - as high as 50m
Canopy - high as 30m, receives 70% sunlight and 80% rainfall
Under canopy - high as 20m
Shrub layer - trees and shrubs adapt to live in the shad, less than 5% sunlight
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a polar region (Antarctic)
Climate:
Long cold winters and short cool winters
Weather is kept within the continent due to circumpolar winds
Location:
South Pole covered by an immense ice shelf
Flora:
100 species of moss
300-400 species of lichen
Fauna:
Emperor penguin
Killer whales
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a polar region (the Artic)
Climate:
Long cold winters and short cool summers
Warm weather from the South
Location:
North Pole
Flora:
1700 species of plants
Moss
Fauna:
Polar bears
Whales
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a coral reef
Climate:
Warm water all year round (18°)
Clear water and shallow water (no deeper than 30m)
Location:
Mostly found in the tropics
Flora:
Turtle grass
Manatee grass
Fauna:
Red snapper fish
Green turtle
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a tropical rainforest
Climate:
Hot and wet with no seasons
2000mm annual rainfall
Location:
Around the equator
South East Asia
Flora:
Buttress roots
Lianas
Fauna:
Toucan
Monkey
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a tropical grassland (savannah)
Climate:
A long dry season and short wet season
Location:
Between 5° and 30° North and South of the equator
Most of central Africa
Flora:
Pampas grass
Baobab tree (10m in diameter to store water and no leaves to prevent transpiration)
Fauna:
Lions
Elephants
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a temperate grassland
Climate:
Annual rainfall of 250-750mm
Location:
Between 40° and 60° North and South of the equator
Central part of continents
Flora:
Willow
Tussock grass
Fauna:
Rabbits
Wolves
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a temperate forest
Climate:
4 distinct seasons
Summers are warm and winters are mild
Location:
Between 40° and 60° North and South of the equator
Western Europe
Flora:
Oak
Bracken
Fauna:
Deer
Foxes
What is the climate, location, flora and fauna of a hot desert
Climate:
Hot at day and cold at night
Annual rainfall of 40mm
Location:
30° North and South of the equator
Northern Africa
Flora:
Most plants are xerophytic (can survive on very little water)
Yucca plants (roots are near the surface)
Fauna:
Camels (humps to store water)
Meerkats
What is the nutrition cycle in a tropical rainforest
What is the nutrient cycle in a coral reef
Algae
Energy Nutrition
Coral
Case study : Peruvian Amazon rainforest
What is its importance
Archaeology -remains of ancient civilisations exist within the rainforest
Biodiversity - almost 3000 known amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles
Indigenous tribes - many traditional tribes live in remote parts of the rainforest
Medical plants - rainforest plants are important in helping to treat diseases such as cancer
Case study : Peruvian Amazon rainforest
How is it under threat from human activity
Timber - the variety of hardwood trees are highly valued for making furniture. 95% of logging is illegal
Energy - there are large reserves of oil and gas. Oil spills can damage the ecosystem and pollute rivers
Mining - gold is mined from alluvium in rivers. Cause pollution by toxic chemicals such as mercury
Roads - the Trans-Oceanic Highway is a major development planned to connect a Brazilian highway to the Pacific ports in Peru. This could lead to significant rainforest destruction and may worsen the illegal felling of trees
Agriculture - lowland area are being cleared to make way for ranching and the cultivation of commercial crops such as soybean. Fires are use to clear land which can get out of control
Case study : Peruvian Amazon rainforest
How is it sustainably managed
Since 2000, rainforest harvesting activities require a management plan in line with guidelines from the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
Reserves have been created to protect indigenous tribes and give them land rights over mineral extraction and the use of their land
National Parks and National Reserves have been created to protect ecologically valuable areas
In southeast Peru, the Purus-Manu Conservative Corridor comprises national parks and several reserves for indigenous people. It protects an area of 10 million hectares
Case study : Andros Barrier Reef
Where is it located
In the Bahamas, off the southeast coast of Florida
Extends for 200m
Case study : Andros Barrier Reef
What is the ecosystem and what species are found there
Ecosystem:
164 species of fish and coral make up the reef
Fish benefit from the safety of the reef for shelter and breeding
Coral benefits from nitrogen excreted through the gills of fish
Species:
Red snapper fish
Green turtle
Case study : Andros Barrier Reef
What is its importance
Scientific research - as one of the world’s healthiest reefs, it is extensively used for scientific monitoring and research
Coastal protection - protects coastlines from powerful storms surges associated with hurricanes
Tourism - visits for diving and snorkelling, Receives over US$150 million of tourism revenue a year
Fishing -corals provide shelter for fish and provide the perfect breeding grounds
Case study : Andros Barrier Reef
How is it under threat from human activity
Overfishing - depleting fish stock and harvesting sponge causes an imbalance in the ecosystem. Trawling nets and anchors cause physical damage to the corals
Pollution - under threat from agricultural chemicals and silt discharge from rivers can reduce sunlight penetration. Oil and chemical discharges from ships cause harm to corals and fish
Climate change - high water temperatures can trigger a stress reaction in the coral which results in the expulsion of zooxanthellae and bleaching. This can cause the reef to die
Case study : Andros Barrier Reef
How is it sustainably managed
West side national park - Afford protection from development for over 50% of Andros Island. Management planning aims to balance economic activities, e.g. sponge fishing
Crab replenishment reserve - seeks to ensure a sustainable crab population
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park - a coral nursery that enables threatened species to be conserved and subsequently re-introduced to the coral reef
